UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 26, Page 9
April 8, 1993
New SSAC representatives receive orientation, advice 

     Veteran members of the Salaried Staff Advisory Council (SSAC) showed
new members the ropes at a brief orientation last week.
     During the program, members explained the advisory body's charge,
reviewed its history and explained its committees. New members also were
given advice on how to stay in touch with constituents and how to present
concerns at meetings.
     Organized in 1975, SSAC is an advisory body to the vice president for
employee relations.
     The group meets once a month to present constituent concerns to Vice
President Maxine Colm and members of her staff.  It is also empowered to
make proposals to Colm for transmission to the appropriate administrative
officers on policies, recommendations or comments that are deemed
appropriate by a simple majority vote of the members present.
     The group also is asked for input on proposed policy changes that will
affect salaried staff and for opinions in formulating comments and
proposals for new policies or changes, and members can form ad hoc
committees to study specific issues and concerns.
     Nineteen SSAC representatives serve the entire Newark campus as well
as units with Southern Delaware and Wilmington locations. SSAC
representatives from odd-and even-numbered districts are elected on
alternate years and serve two-year terms.
     Alfina V. Seelig, office supervisor in the Morris Library and SSAC
representative for District 7, explained the charge to new members and
asked that it be made readily available on e-mail.
     She noted that the charge was approved in l980 and updated in 1989.
     Arthur A. Baeckel, master instrument maker in the Department of
Mechanical Engineering, who has been a SSAC representative for 13 years,
said the advisory board has a good record for bringing issues concerning
wages, salaries and parking before the vice president.
     Successful projects in which SSAC has been involved include the
establishment of salaried staff career ladders, salary studies, tuition
exchange, tuition remission for the children of salaried staff and the
mid-year merit award system, he said.
     Other parts of the orientation were conducted by Catherine C.
Johnston, office coordinator in the College of Marine Studies and SSAC
representative for District 16, Cynthia M. Carroll, office coordinator in
counseling and student development and SSAC representative for District 8,
and Lee Korolyk, records analyst in financial aid and SSAC representative
for District 15.
     Salaried staff members who would like more information on SSAC are
urged to call their local representatives. A list of representatives is
available by calling Alba Bates, staff assistant in Employee Services, at
831-2059. A listing also is available on U-Discover.
                                        -Beth Thomas